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Consumers urged to patronize shops with ‘safety seal’

By Kris Crismundo

April 23, 2021, 3:53 pm

<p><strong>SAFETY SEAL</strong>. Government agencies launch the safety seal certification program on Friday (April 23, 2021). It is a seal of good housekeeping for establishments that strictly comply with minimum health protocols.<em> (Screenshot of safety seal)</em></p>

SAFETY SEAL. Government agencies launch the safety seal certification program on Friday (April 23, 2021). It is a seal of good housekeeping for establishments that strictly comply with minimum health protocols. (Screenshot of safety seal)

MANILA – Members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) have encouraged consumers to patronize business establishments with safety seals which affirm good housekeeping for those that strictly comply with minimum health protocols. 
 
On Friday, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) signed a joint memorandum circular (JMC) implementing the guidelines on safety seal certification program.
 
A safety seal tags establishments that strictly implement minimum health protocols in their stores and workplaces, such as proper wearing of face shields and face masks, good ventilation, disinfection, and using the contact tracing system of StaySafe.ph.
 
The use of StaySafe.ph is mandatory for establishments that would like to apply for a safety seal certification program.        
 
“Through the safety seal certification, the government aims to increase public confidence in businesses at this time of the pandemic while also ensuring compliance in the minimum health protocols. This is because the signage of the safety seal —which affirms that an establishment has been found compliant with these health protocols— will assure customers that it is safe to be in that establishment,” DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said during a virtual presser.
 
According to the JMC, establishments can apply for safety seal certification in the following issuing authorities:
 
--DOT for primary tourism enterprises such as hotels, resorts, apartment hotels, and other accredited accommodation establishments; travel and tours services; meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) venues and facilities; and restaurants inside hotels and resorts;
 
--DOLE for manufacturing, construction sites, utilities, information and communication companies, and warehouses;
 
--DTI for groceries, supermarkets, and membership shopping clubs; convenience stores; construction supply and hardware stores; outlets of logistics service providers; barbershops and salons; and service and repair shops; and
 
--local government units for malls; wet markets; other retail stores; restaurants outside hotels and resorts, fast food, eateries, and coffee shops; banks, money changers, pawnshops, and remittance centers; car wash; laundry service centers; art galleries, libraries, museums, and zoo; sports centers; tutorial, testing, and review centers; gyms; spas; cinemas; arcades; and all other private establishments
 
Aside from business establishments, government offices are also urged to secure a safety seal from the DILG, or the Philippine National Police.
 
The safety seal is valid for six months upon the issuance date, except for tourism enterprises which is given a one-year validity period.
 
An establishment should renew the certification one month before the expiration of the safety seal. (PNA)
 
 

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